In an interview amid a 1994 labour dispute gripping the province, Williams told CBC News that Wells deserved "a good shit knocking." When asked why by a reporter, Williams said it was because Wells was "an ignorant pig."

Not everyone is jazzed about Wells' brand of rancour potentially returning to the mayor's office again.

Great Big Sea member Bob Hallett told CBC News last year he would be "horrified" if Wells made a foray back into municipal politics.

"I think what we really need is some new voices and some new blood and some new ideas. Not yesterday's man and yesterday's ideas."